New career ideas

[Brett N]

Hey guys, just wanted to get some thoughts and inputs on making a career change. Bear in mind, I am 41 years old and I really don't think I would be willing or able to go to school to get a degree. Maybe a short school of less than a year but with a family and working, I don't see going full time for 2- 4 years.

I work construction in the midwest, even when the economy was booming I always missed a lot of time in the winter because of weather. I also miss time for rain too, I am a mason so I work outside all the time. Long story short, been doing it 16 years and I just lost the appeal of it. I am not happy doing it and I only have dread when I think about Monday morning. I feel it has a dramatic impact on my life with the amount of dislike I have for it.

I make ok money, not great but I get by. On average around 40K a year, last couple years have been around 30 -35K.

I have a lot of drive and I am a quick study. My education is only high school level, tech savvy and I am really getting into my new way of life as far as lifting, biking, and exercising. At times I feel like work is just an interruption of my new life if that makes sense.

So, does anyone have any ideas? I have even considered trying to get on as a trash collector. I really don't feel I am above any average paying career, I just want to find something to make me happier.

[Euroholic]

Trash collector is a good job. The guy i spoke to from jj richards. Does a 11 day fortnight and makes around 100 grand

[Dpyle]

Trash collector is a good job. The guy i spoke to from jj richards. Does a 11 day fortnight and makes around 100 grand

This is actually true, even here in the states. I worked the residential collection for waste management in my town for 4 years. It was the lowest paid line of business and I cleared 54k my last year in it. Never stop for weather so your good there, but when you have a holiday off you gotta work the weekends to cover it.

[Euroholic]

This is actually true, even here in the states. I worked the residential collection for waste management in my town for 4 years. It was the lowest paid line of business and I cleared 54k my last year in it. Never stop for weather so your good there, but when you have a holiday off you gotta work the weekends to cover it.

Yup its a job that has to be done and most people think its beneath them

[EverettCD]

What part of the country are you in? What professions are in demand currently in your area?

[Brett N]

I am in the midwest, about an hour west of St Louis. As far as professions, not really sure. Jobs aren't easy to come by which is why i am not making a quick decision just to quit. Being in demand and finding one you qualify for is 2 different things though.

[Lunk1]

At your age and with times the way they are. I would concentrate on something with health insurance and a decent retirement. Try the railroad. Like Union Pacific.

[Brett N]

Wouldn't there be a lot of overnight travel with the railroad? That would take away from my home life even more. The way it is now, I work an 8 hour day but sometimes I have to drive up to 90 minutes one way to get to a job. I can't move closer because the job is always changing. I am centrally located with my work, sometimes I drive 70 miles east and sometimes it's 70 miles west. I make this drive even when there is a chance of rain. I have driven 90 minutes many times just to turn around and go home with no pay because a storm came in.

I currently have health insurance through my union and my wife's union and I have 2 pensions and an annuity (very similar to 401k) The problem is, I am not happy with my job or even at the point where I can hardly tolerate it.

A lot of jobs that are trades are hard to get into unless you have someone there to open the door for you.

[Lunk1]

Not all jobs with the RR are overnight. They have tons of opportunity with a pretty good retirement. UPS or FedEx may be another to consider

[thegodfather]

I know that places like Colorado have a very big recruiting drive for Corrections Officers, and they have waved any age restrictions. Solid pay, good benefits, etc, and you dont need an education.

[Dpyle]

I know that places like Colorado have a very big recruiting drive for Corrections Officers, and they have waved any age restrictions. Solid pay, good benefits, etc, and you dont need an education.

Solid pay? Must be better out that way. I checked into it after a weekend stay here in my city, in the application they listed the salaries for all positions, and the highest paid was the med staff at 32k. The entry level CO's were down in the lower 20k per year range.

[FRDave]

I am also looking... Thinking about going to a trade school as an electrician and trying to get on at the new paramount studios opening up in the next couple years under the union.

[Igifuno]

Brett N what else are you good at and what makes you happy? If you're going to go through a career change, make sure it's something that you enjoy. When you're having a good time at work, stress is low and productivity is high.

You mentioned you enjoy biking and fitness. You could always get certified as a personal trainer and be surrounded by the things you enjoy.

[Brett N]

I have thought about that, only thing is that I am not in the shape that I believe a personal trainer should be in.

It's hard to think of something as far as a career goes that I think I would be happy doing for the rest of my working adulthood.

[EverettCD]

Have you ever thought about a public service career? Fireman, Policeman or Paramedic? A lot of departments either have a department run academy that you would be paid salary as a cadet or some departments will pay for you to go to a private academy at a college. There's never going to be a shortage of people dialing 911 anytime soon so there's some job security.